Do chilblains hurt?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Frostbite occurs due to cold, causing the small arteries at the distal parts of our body to constrict, become paralyzed and spasm, leading to venous congestion and poor local blood circulation. Therefore, patients generally have symptoms such as itching and pain. Minor cases primarily present with itching which worsens with heat, while severe cases may mainly experience pain, especially when severe blisters, ulcerations, and further increased pain occur. If there is pain due to local frostbite, topical application of traditional Chinese medicine ointments that warm, expel cold, promote blood circulation, and relieve pain, or frostbite creams, capsicum tincture, etc., can be used.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Do chilblains itch?

Chilblains are caused by the spasm and paralysis of small peripheral blood vessels due to cold, resulting in venous congestion and poor local blood circulation. Sufferers generally feel pain and itching, primarily itching, which intensifies when heated. The best approach at this time is to apply topical medications, such as chilblain cream, capsicum tincture, etc., which have an anti-itching effect.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can frostbite be cured completely?

Chilblains can recur because, in addition to cold being the primary cause, many other factors such as the skin's moisture, abnormalities in the microvasculature, autonomic dysfunction, malnutrition, anemia, and endocrine disorders might also contribute to the condition. Additionally, lack of exercise, excessive sweating of the hands and feet, overly tight shoes and socks, and prolonged outdoor work can also promote the occurrence of chilblains. Thus, chilblains are a multifactorial disease. The best way to prevent recurrence is through preventive measures. These include: first, strengthening physical exercise to promote peripheral circulation and enhance the body's ability to adapt to the cold; second, early in the early winter season, it is important to prevent cold, frostbite, and dampness, stay warm, and avoid wearing tight shoes and socks; third, once exposed to cold, one should not immediately warm up by a fire or soak in hot water; fourth, irradiating the affected areas with infrared before winter or frequently soaking feet in hot water can also help in preventing chilblains.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How to quickly form a scab when frostbite festers?

Frostbite, if the freezing duration is long, the local tissues will become more hypoxic and the cells will be severely damaged. At this point, local blisters, ruptures, erosion, and ulcers may occur. To quickly form a scab at this time, we should operate as follows: first, keep the local area as dry as possible; second, use astringent, drying, and anti-inflammatory ointments on the ruptured areas, such as boric acid ointment, boric acid zinc oxide menthol ointment, erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, etc.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How to treat frostbite in summer?

Chilblains usually occur in early winter and early spring. Therefore, treating chilblains in summer is mainly to prevent recurrence in winter. The routine mainly involves physical exercise. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine treatment, there is a concept of treating winter diseases in summer. You can use some Chinese herbal medicines that warm and promote circulation, activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and unblock collaterals to relieve pain. These herbs can be decocted and used for foot soaks over a period, which helps to prevent the occurrence of chilblains in winter.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Frostbite occurs on which parts of the body?

Chilblains are a cold-related disease, commonly occurring in the peripheral areas as a localized congestive inflammatory skin condition. They generally appear in the early winter or early spring when the temperatures are lower, which facilitates the onset of chilblains. The common sites for chilblains are the extremities and exposed areas, including the hands, face, and auricles.